Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore says convicted rapist 'can get us out of
trouble'

Hartlepool manager Ronnie Moore has announced he would like to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Former Sheffield United and Wales striker Evans had an offer to train with his former club retracted last month following strong local opposition to the proposal.

But Moore, who took over as boss of the bottom club in the Football League this week, has confirmed he could look to bring in 25-year-old Evans even though he added he did not feel the striker had "apologised in the right way" for his crime.

He said after Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Oxford in League Two: "It's a possibility.

"If it could happen, I would want it to happen. He is a proven scorer; he's served his time and the boy wants to play football.

"If there is a chance he might come here, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't.

"He has made a mistake and maybe he hasn't apologised in the right way - and I know he has an appeal case pending - but if he gets on the park, he would go a long way to getting us out of trouble."

But Hartlepool's Labour MP Iain Wright was outraged at the prospect of Evans signing for the club.

He said: "I really hope we don't. I love my club, I love Hartlepool United. There's a reason why no other team in the Football League wants to sign him - he is a pariah.

"I was at the match today. There were lots of young lads there supporting Hartlepool United. I just think it sends out such a wrong message to young men in terms of it being OK for a rapist to play football. It's entirely wrong."